On Sunday, September 20, 2026 at 2 p.m., the Albuquerque Historical Society welcomes award-winning author and historian John M. Taylor to the Albuquerque Museum for a presentation on his new book, Albuquerque’s Roman Catholic Heritage. Taylor traces the history and evolution of Catholicism in the Albuquerque area from the first Spanish entrada in 1540 to the present day, exploring the churches, missions, parishes, religious orders, and individuals who helped shape the region’s religious and cultural heritage. Richly illustrated with more than 300 images, the book documents the history of more than 100 parishes, missions, and affiliated institutions, including many lesser-known stories and historic photographs.
Former State Historian Robert J. Torrez wrote,
Albuquerque’s Roman Catholic Heritage is much more than the title implies. This wonderfully illustrated and easy to read volume goes beyond the history of Roman Catholic heritage in the historic Villa de Alburquerque. The author opens with the stories behind the original San Felipe Neri Church in today’s “old town” and skillfully shows the development of the numerous parishes that developed as the city expanded and incorporated the myriad communities and local chapels that dotted the middle Rio Grande Valley, including histories of churches and parishes located north and south of greater Albuquerque, as well as those along the eastern slope of the Sandia mountains. These stories are enhanced by dozens of seldom or never-before published photographs as well as many contemporary images not only of churches, but of individuals that contributed to the development and growth of the Roman Catholic heritage in the greater Albuquerque region.
The book and presentation describe over 100 parishes, missions, and other affiliated institutions. This book is available from the Valencia County Historical Society for $30 plus postage and handling at contactvchs@gmail.com or on Amazon. For additional information or questions, please contact John Taylor at jtlymtnest@aol.com or Louis Huning at huninglo@loslunasnm.gov.
The program will be held at the Albuquerque Museum at 2000 Mountain Rd. NW in Old Town. Parking is free in the lot south of the Museum. Admission to the Museum and the AHS program is also free.
John M. Taylor has a master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from Stanford University and was a member of Sandia National Laboratories Technical and Management Staff from 1975 to 2010. During that tenure, he published over 50 technical reports and papers. Prior to coming to Sandia, he was assigned as Reactor Controls Officer on the USS Nautilus (SSN571). He is the author or co-author of 33 books on a variety of subjects including Catholicism in central New Mexico, the Civil War in New Mexico, railroading in New Mexico, New Mexico’s naval connections, New Mexico’s Medal of Honor winners, stories from Valencia County, and the science of soccer. Six of these books have won New Mexico-Arizona book awards and two have won book awards from the Historical Society of New Mexico. In addition, he has published numerous articles in various books and journals on Civil War, Catholic history, and soccer topics. He is married to Lynn and has four daughters and three granddaughters.
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